Image Travel Limited
Image Travel
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2011)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $280 to $350 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
dodgiest tour operator ever, do not book under any circumstances!!!!!
We were in a group of 7 so my review is the same as the other you will see posted here. Do not book with this man, he will ruin your African Safari Experience. We booked with Image Travel in March 2014 for a 10 day Masai/Serengeti Safari commencing Sep 2014. Paid for the tour in full prior to arriving. Mwanje, the owner, was great to deal with when booking but it all went horribly wrong on arrival. Our driver wasn't paid and we were stranded on the side of the road for 3 hours on the first day. We missed our afternoon game drive and lunch. We went for the 5 star option so for our group we paid over $30k USD for the whole trip. Our first night of accommodation was paid for but after that the next 9 nights had not been paid. The deposit was paid but the remaining amounts were all outstanding. We ended up having to report the matter to police and found that over $20k of the trip had to be paid for again. Our once in a lifetime trip was turned into an absolute nightmare by Mwanje and Image Travel. Mwanje would not respond to our calls or emails. Take my advice and go with another company.
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the best tours we ever had
We went over dozens of tours of Kenya and Tanzania looking for a 10- to 14-day safari covering all major attractions of the regions. The Image Travel itinerary was one of the best for us. We did communicate with three or four other companies gathering details about the tour, but selected Image Travel. Among other things, they were the best in providing additional information about the tour. Accommodations and food were excellent (some exceeded expectations). We did have one stressful day when our jeep had a major breakdown in the middle of nowhere. The problem was eventually solved, arrangements for a replacement vehicle were made, and we got a really outstanding driver-guide for the rest of the tour. Out of three African safaris we had, this one was by far the best.
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Experience level: first safari
Great safari, exactly as described, knowledgeable guide -- Mwanje very responsive and professional!
Our Tanzania safari experience was everything we had hoped it would be -- with many thanks to Mwanje and Image Travel. We booked well in advance after reviewing proposals from several safari companies. Image Travel offered competitive or better rates and Mwanje was extremely responsive, getting back to us quickly with information, written proposals/contracts, and receipts for deposits/payments. Though Nairobi airport security prevented it, Mwanje even tried to meet us in person during our connection from Kenya to Tanzania -- but he was there to refund us about $500 in cash for an overpayment due us after we changed our itinerary (cash was transferred from Mwanje to an airport employee to us). We appreciated the professionalism and the integrity.
As for our safari itself, we had an amazing 4-day adventure split between the Serengeti and the Ngorogoro Crater. The Serengeti was by far the more exciting park. The view from the rim of the Ngorogoro Crater is spectacular, but the animal experience in the Serengeti was superior, at least for us. Our driver for the entire safari -- Joseph -- was helpful, friendly, interested in our needs, spoke English well enough, and was very knowledgeable about the animals and the Masai culture (he is Masai and enjoyed telling us all about traditional culture and life in that part of Tanzania). Our Serengeti tent camp was clean, situated in a beautiful spot, and very well staffed by incredibly hospitable people -- stewards to pour you hot water for showers in the morning, carry your bags or hold an umbrella, cooks to prepare delicious and huge breakfasts, box lunches and dinners, etc. Our lodge at the Ngorogoro Crater was exceptional -- great accommodations, welcoming staff, wonderful entertainment, delicious food. And finally, all the animals "cooperated" -- we saw everything except leopards.
Transfers from and back to the Kilimanjaro airport were covered in our safari price and were done by Joseph himself (who had to come out twice for our "arrival" due to Kenya Airways delays).
Mwanje, we are totally thankful for your expert and reliable help with our trip. We are happy to highly recommend Image Travel to anyone planning an African safari! Cheers!
Cons:
1. Our Toyota Land Cruiser safari vehicle was decent, comfortable enough. But it was older and not all features were functioning (eg, seat belts, one of two battery chargers).
2. In the Ngorogoro Crater, the eagles can swoop down uninvited and attempt to grab your chicken lunch right out of your hand -- exciting yes, but dangerous too, and it would have been nice to have been properly forewarned.
3. Nothing to do with Image Travel, but we give low marks to Kenya Airways -- the planes and in-flight service were fine. But we had several flights cancelled or severely delayed during our trip planning process and/or mid-trip, costing us valuable safari time -- without apology or compensation.
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great wildlife to photo - great guides!
We went with friends to tour the major parks in Kenya, and our guides were fantastic. Very thoughtful, they knew where to go to get great photo shots of animals, and went out of their way to take care of us. I happened to forget my camera's recharger in a hotel room early in the tour... I called the hotel and they found it, so our Image Travel tour guides made arrangements and delivered to me before my batteries ran out. This is saying A LOT considering the traffic and the roads! I would have been sick to have missed all the great photo shots, but they made sure all was taken care of. We thoroughly enjoyed the guides, the parks, the narration... everything. Couldn't be happier.
Email Mike | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trouble free, great accomodation, driver OK
Good communication by operator and efficient good value for money safari. First class accommodation at three national parks but recommend looking for lodge within Masai Mara. Guide was a great driver but nowhere near as communicative on game drives as my other experiences on safari.
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Email Mary Rose | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience
Our guide and driver were great and completely accommodating even to the guests who were being a bit needy.
Email Michel and Minouche | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent, well organized and very friendly, enjoyed every day thoroughly!
We had a great time! Very friendly atmosphere wherever we very driven to! Good accommodation and very caring drivers, guides and advisors!
Thank you!
Email Shane | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Brilliant brilliant brilliant!!!
Thanks Chad. Absolutely awesome trip. Second brilliant trip with you and really looking forward to the tiger fishing trip with you next year and many more to come. Your company is very well run, very knowledgeable staff and the service is definitely up there. Keep it up and thanks again.......
3 day Amboseli trip was a dream I have had and it did not disappoint.
The trip was put together at short notice. Dennis our guide was a bit dis-organised at first but his enthusiasm, especially for photography, quickly overcame that. Joshua, his driver and team mate, was someone I would travel anywhere with. He was understanding of our requests regarding the on-going buzz of the radio, stopping to watch birds, and generally a most considerate man. How he negotiated the Nairobi traffic remains a mystery! Amboseli was an amazing experience. Wide open spaces. Great game viewing. Large elephant herds as promised. View of Mt Kilimanjaro would have been excellent except for the overcast weather. Will definitely go again.
Email Bongaan Mahwe | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour went smoothly and it was worth every penny.I was really impressed with the tour guide's kno
The tour went smoothly and it was worth every penny.I was really impressed with the tour guide's knowledge